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Opunake Times, Volume XXX, Issue 3164, 24 January 1928, Page 2

Dr. D. L. Freeman, Agricultural Instructor in Hawke’s Bay, has a novel suggestion to make regarding the eradication of blackberry from farm lands, a problem which sorely troubles land-owners in north Hawke’s Bay, and to a lesser extent the farmers of other parts of the district. Seeing that salt water was so effective in weed suppression, said Dr. Freeman, it had occurred to him that sea. water might be given a trial on blackberries by those farmers living on the coast. If judiciously applied, sea water would probably prove effective in suppressing the plant. His idea was to spray the b.ackbcrry with kerosene and benzine where burns were advisable and afterwards saturate the ground at intervals with the brine. If salt water had the desired effect it would also have the merit of being cheap.

A case of alleged fraud in New Zealand on the part of a man posing as a skin buyer is mentioned by a Sydeny paper. It is stated that a few weeks ago the victim —a middle-aged and prosperous New Zealander —was introduced in the Dominion to >a man who posed as a skin buyer. A few meetings, and the “skin-buyer” induced the New Zealander to invest £7OO with him in a skin deal. They would buy in New Zealand he said, and double their money by selling in Melbourne. The “buyer” handled all tho business —as well as the cash—paid the fares to Melbourne, where the pair put up at the best hoteL For a week the “buyer” took the New Zealander round Melbourne, ostensibly selling their skins. And then he disappeared. Detectives, it is said traced the “buyer” to the steamer Sierra, bound for Honolulu. The paper adds: “But nothing can bo done from Australia, since the olfence was committed in New Zealand. And the victim of the swindle must gp to New Zealand to swear a warrant personally before extradition proceedings can commence.”

“Anti-Monopolist” writes to the Auckland Star: “In a recent issue of your paper I notice that our friend, Mr. Harry Holland, is overflowing with indignation at the manner in which a few Samoan residents are being treated by the New Zealand Government. As the leader of the Labour Party, he has (or should have) the interests of his fellow workers at heart, be they yellow, brown or white. The New Zealand Government is buying the copra at a fair price, much more than growers had previously got, has greatly benefited the native, but left the merchants lamenting. So we find

our redoubtable Harry sympathising) Hot with the oppressed worker) but strange to say’, with the traders, one of .whom, it was reported in a recent issue of your paper, is worth tioOO.OOO. I am quite sure that the Administrator has nine-tenths of the people with him. Jt is a great pity that years ago a man of Sir George Richardson's calibre was not in charge. Anyone

who knows Richardson knows him to he incorruptible. How easy his-path could have been had he liked to avoid all opposition to vested interests, but how T honour the wan for what he has tUmeJ' , i